Increase in the Private Rented Sector

The private rented sector (PRS) is expected to increase by 700,000 households to 5.5 million by 2020, accounting for one-fifth of the total housing stock in this country, according to a new report.

A fresh study on the buy-to-let sector states that the PRS now accounts for 18% of all housing stock, after almost 150,000 new households were added to the PRS in the year leading to March 2015.

A higher number of buy-to-let investors entering the market coupled with capital growth have led to an average rise of 11% in the total value PRS property.

"Buy-to-let has come of age, moving from a niche asset class to one big enough to rival the stock market. Landlords are seeing the benefit or a structural change in Britain's housing market, with tenant demand ever strengthening."

If recent growth continues, the whole sector is set to be worth in excess of £1 trillion by the end of next month and in the region of £1.45 trillion by 2020.